LEWISTON — Donald Ferrara, a Lewiston High School assistant principal, has been nominated as interim principal for both Longley and Martel elementary schools next year.

The Lewiston School Committee will be asked to vote on his nomination when it meets Monday, June 25.

If approved, Ferrara will oversee not only the two schools, but the final year of planning for Connors Elementary School, scheduled to open in fall 2019.

Kristie Clark, now Longley principal who was to become the new school principal, is leaving to become principal of Hall-Dale Elementary School in Hallowell, a job that is closer to her Readfield home.

And longtime Martel Elementary School Principal Stephen Whitfield is retiring.

Ferrara said becoming interim principal of Martel and Longley, and planning the new school “is a big lift.” As of last week he had already met with the faculty of both schools and said each school has strong leadership.

He wants parents to know that “any decision and every decision we make are going to have their children’s best interest,” Ferrara said. “We want to keep the staff and students supported and have a positive educational year, even though it’s a transition year.”

At this time next year, with the school opening only months away, Ferrara said, he wants to be sure “we’re ready to make the transition to the new building and have two schools that have been melded into one.”

Longley and Martel schools staff and students will learn similar procedures “that will make each building work like the other,” he said, “so that it’s not as big of a leap once we end up with two buildings in one.”

Helping Ferrara will be Linda St. Andre, a retired principal who will act as a consultant and help Ferrara manage the two schools and the new school opening. She said it’s because there will be a lot happening next year. In addition to running the schools, Ferrara will have to do all of the planning to open a new school and bring the schools together.

Webster on Monday also will nominate Marc Sawyer to be interim assistant principal at the high school, filling in for Ferrara. Sawyer is the student dean at Lewiston High School.

Webster praised Clark as a veteran educator who has successfully fulfilled different roles.

“We greatly appreciate all she’s done for Lewiston students for many years, as a teacher, English Language Learner director, assistant principal and principal,” Webster said.

Donald Ferrara, assistant principal at Lewiston High School, has been nominated to become interim principal of Longley and Martel elementary schools for one year, and to oversee the final year of planning for Connors Elementary School, scheduled to open in 2019. Longley Principal Kristie Clark, who was to become principal of the new school, is leaving. (Bonnie Washuk/Sun Journal)